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Our system vs. our players

McDermott uses a slow down system that is better suited to walking the ball up the floor and really pulling back on the reigns to match our type of personnel. It is the Missouri Valley stereotype that will hopefully leave at some point. We don't have the athletes to run up and down the court - I get it. But with Gilstrap, Colvin, possibly Ejim/Barnes down the road, will McDermott be willing to change to enable these guys to do what they do best? It would only help the recruiting in the long run if we changed "systems" to attract more athletes who know they won't be held back upon arriving.

I respect players like Petey and Haluska for their effort, and I know Lucca tries hard. But take a look at the teams in the sweet 16 - athletes abound. Are we going to put the harness on Colvin and Gilstrap next year, or will we open things up? Would Barnes be more willing to come here if we ran a Missouri style of wide open play and pressing?

Re: Our system vs. our players

I hope part of Macs slow it down at ISU is due to the fact there was a lack of athletes last year. I hope he realizes he needs to force the tempo some. I hope they have taught D good enough they can spend more time running the offence in practice. I hope the shooting improves so they dont have to depend so much on playing good smart D all the time and be able to take a chance now and then. You have to have athletes to win at the Big 12 level and this new class really looks to address that issue. I also see Buck and better suited to run the uptempo game than DG.

The gap in our economy is between what we have and what we think we ought to have--and that is a moral problem, not an economic one. - Paul Heyne

Re: Our system vs. our players

I don't really understand the obsession that people on here have with "the system"
Most any game you see, they give the keys to victory. More often than not, one of the keys for the underdog has to do with controlling the tempo. Any successful team needs to be able to operate out of a half court set.

Re: Our system vs. our players

Originally Posted by kingcy

I hope part of Macs slow it down at ISU is due to the fact there was a lack of athletes last year. I hope he realizes he needs to force the tempo some. I hope they have taught D good enough they can spend more time running the offence in practice. I hope the shooting improves so they dont have to depend so much on playing good smart D all the time and be able to take a chance now and then. You have to have athletes to win at the Big 12 level and this new class really looks to address that issue. I also see Buck and better suited to run the uptempo game than DG.

Agree here. (Hope it all was due to only the lack of athletes.....our tempo has to change.)

Re: Our system vs. our players

What percent of the time can a team run? I don't know, but I bet it's not anywhere near the 100% that a team can operate in a half court set. Id rather them be able to be a better at a half court set then the average team since that's where most points will come from. And if we ever get the opportunity to run, then sure, if the talent is there... but I don't think we should 'not value the ball' and have a high risk of turning the ball back over in an attempt to run.

Re: Our system vs. our players

To run or not to run. That is the question...

In my opinion, a good coach will always try to dictate the tempo in a way that gives them the best possible chance of winning. This can change based on a number of factors and at any number of times. It is the coaches job to make the right call at the right time.

It can change between seasons due to personnel (new recruits, graduates, transfers, etc). It can change within the season (injuries, suspensions, opponent, etc.). It can change within a game (time/score scenarios, who you have on the floor, who the other team has on the floor, etc). It can also change between "eras" or between conferences (as has been mentioned).

Of course, coaches will recruit players specifically for their system, but will eventually fail if they put their system above all else with no regard to all the other factors mentioned above.

I therefore think any "system" in itself is entirely overrated. Successful teams will run when advisable and will slow the game down when needed.

Championship teams can do both and dictate a tempo to expose the other team. Weak teams attempt to dictate a tempo so they, themselves, don't get exposed. Firmly settling into one "system" puts you at an immediate disadvantage over the long haul.

As Sun Tzu so eloquently states in The Art of War, "The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him."

Re: Our system vs. our players

Originally Posted by MNclone

I don't really understand the obsession that people on here have with "the system"
Most any game you see, they give the keys to victory. More often than not, one of the keys for the underdog has to do with controlling the tempo. Any successful team needs to be able to operate out of a half court set.

Two quickies:

1) Why is there always the assumption that we have to be or are the underdog? Frankly, my opinion is that whether the favorite or the underdog...the best teams try to dictate a tempo to their liking.

2) I agree about successful teams needing to be able to get what they want in a half court set...especially as you go through a tournament and the competition becomes stiffer with each round...it becomes more difficult to get easy baskets in transition...you have to be able to run your half court offense and get good shots. This (or the lack of this) actually ended up killing my son's HS team in the state quarterfinals this year.

I cheer for two teams, Iowa State and whoever is playing the hawkeyes.

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